Virtual Food Bank Party!

November 23, 2010Angela (Oh She Glows)

by Angela (Oh She Glows) on November 23, 2010

If you were reading OSG this time last year, you might remember that I signed up with an organization called Project Feed Me as a way to rally myself and others to donate food items to local food banks.

It was a big success with many of you participating and donating whatever food items you could.

To participate in this Virtual Food Bank Party all you have to do is commit to donating food items to one of your local food banks.

It can be as much or as little as you want from a can of beans to a couple boxes of food. Even just 1 item makes a difference to those who need it.

If you want to know what your local shelter is in need of it is best to call or check their website. Of course, you can also simply give whatever non-perishable food items you currently have in your cupboards too.

3) Drop off your food items to the food bank or a local drop box.

Drop boxes can often be found in grocery stores and sometimes Police or Fire stations serve as drop off spots too. Be sure to check the procedure for your food bank.

Nice idea Angela – I was actually heading in this direction as the Y gym I go to is running a food drive from now through the middle of December. It only takes a small reminder to pick up a couple of extra items weekly for a couple of weeks as you shop and then put it all together. My problem is remembering! Thanks for the reminder :)

Thanks for reminding us all how important it is to give back to the community. My husband has been laid off for most of this year so I definitely understand how tough times can be. I am fortunate enough to have a great job that keeps us afloat, but times are definitely tougher than usual. I can’t imagine being parents in a family that is struggling to put food on the table for their family. I will definitely be dropping off some food to my local food bank.

What a fabulous idea! We didn’t contribute to a food bank but did sponsor a family from a local co-op by purchasing food and grocery gift cards for them for the holidays. It’s so important to give back. I love doing things for others more than gifts for me me me this time of year. It really makes it all feel more special.

I’m definitely attending this par-tay! I was at the grocery store on Sunday and commented to my boyfriend that I wanted to donate a few items (but not the store’s pre-packaged donation items as they’re full of horribly bad food). I’ll be gathering my food shortly!

A thought that was brought up in my social work program is there are MANY diabetics that get food from the food bank and that most of the foods given are not diabetic friendly. (white pasta, white rice etc). Just a thought, when I heard about that I had a light bulb moment!! ;)

I grew up in a family that not only donated to the food banks but volunteered there as well so it is just second nature to me. One tip for giving (quality items- not Ramen Noodles!!) throughout the year is to stock up on extras of stuff when you see really good sales or coupons. Buy some for the food bank and put it aside til you collect some more stuff and then you can give a load of quality food every so often and not spend too much.

Of course, not everyone can afford to do so. If you can’t give the food banks are always looking people to sort food and food shelters are always looking for people to help there. Giving time counts too and makes for a fun Sat morn even if you grab a friend or two.

Great idea Angela! I love that you are donating quality foods. Through my church I volunteer at a local food bank and it’s sad to see most of the food options. Thanks for bringing attention to an important cause!

This year I am buying new toys to give to Santa’s Annonymous (I don’t know if they have something similar in Ontario or not!) but it’s an awesome charity where they give kids who can’t afford Christmas ( :( ) brand spankin’ new toys on Christmas morning. Volunteers sign up and deliver them to houses all over the city!

My fiance and I have talked a ton about donating food once a week when we do our grocery shop. I really think that it’s important to do those little things throughout the year, and this weekend I am going to start DOING what I’ve been thinking of doing. A couple cans of soup/chili won’t kill my budget, but it will make a big difference to someone in need.

What a great idea! My family and I just bought Thanksgiving Day meals for a few families in our area. I thought it was interesting that they are in need of items other than food… I will donate those items, as well, as I think most people overlook them.

That is a wonderful idea!!! I will definitely donate some food items here, My parents are missionaries and we operate a food bank where we work, so I know just how much it means to people who recieve the food. Also, it just feels great to give something to someone who needs it, doesn’t it?

I love the idea! I totally agree with “One of my goals is to start donating food on a regular basis (not only during the holidays, although the holidays are good reminders).”
I found I was donating only around the holidays and decided to change this with one easy step! I grocery shop every Friday or Saturday (love grocery shopping!) and every week I buy one item to donate to the food bank and drop it in the bin on the way out. All of our grocery stores in my city have bins at the exit for the food bank – nice and simple!

Great post Angela! People can also check out Food Banks Canada’s website to find the closest food bank to their area to donate. The site also provides ways to get involved outside of food donations.
www.foodbankscanada.ca.

I’m moving in a week or two, and I’ve found that this is a perfect time of year to do so. All the extra clothes and pantry goods I’ve rounded up will go to one of the many clothing/food drives in town.

In middle school my campus ministry brought a group of us to a food bank once a week, so that everyone went once a month. We’d have contests among the grades to see who could bring in the most food each week!! It really is such an easy way to help those in need. Seeing how happy the people who came into the food bank were to receive their groceries always left such an impression on me.

Great idea! Food drives aren’t just for schools or organizations anymore. I think it’s great that you are giving some “healthier” items so that the receivers will have some wholesome options. Us healthy living bloggers have learned how to live healthier lives, but it’s important to share what we know. Every little bit counts! [I’m in!]

Great Reminder! I buy an extra non perishable item or two every time I’m at the grocery store and put it in the bins there before I leave. It’s not much, but I’d like to think over the year I manage to help out some people who are less fortunate.

Angela –
What a great idea! Just another thought for all the generous commenters – even though donating food is a really tangible way of feeling like you’ve made a difference often a monetary donation is more powerful for the foodbank. They can often get better deals on food than you as an individual purchaser might. They can also use it to buy whichever items in their inventory are lowest at any given time.

I’m excited to be participating this year in a fundraiser for a local food bank through my yoga studio. They had the brilliant idea of doing a yogathon :) did you ever do jog-a-thons in elementary school? They offered participants a super reduced unlimited monthly rate, and the more classes we go to, the more the food bank gets. We get sponsors to pledge either a flat rate or some amount per class we go to. My parents pledged $2 per class, so if I make it to class 20 times that’s 40 bucks!

I have two bags of pasta and beans in the truck! I found out that the kitchen at my local Canadian Mental Health Services was running low on everything so got everyone at work to bring items. We’re taking it down on Friday : )

I’m curious….what is your FAVORITE lens to use while doing food photography? I’m currently going to school for Photography, and I’d love to know which lens you like best!! Which by the way-your pictures are always stunning!

Just wanted to let you know that this post really inspired me this morning & I’m now organizing a neighborhood Turkey Trot… in lieu of a registration, we’re taking a free-will donation to our local food pantry. I’m hoping to inspire some of my readers to do the same through a ‘virtual’ Turkey Trot as well :)

Great idea! At our church, we have a food basket that people can donate to and anyone can come take food out of it. We also have a Saturday morning breakfast for homeless or low-income people who want breakfast!

I will most definitely be donating some foods to food banks this winter! I’m also going to drop off a bunch of my old clothes at a local womens shelter. My nutrition classes this year have really opened my eyes to all of the local poverty and it has really made me want to do what I can to help out!

As someone that used to work in a food pantry, I BEG everyone to purchase foods to donate… and donate throughout the year. Many pantries get overwhelmed in November and then have to go without food for months because no one thinks of it outside of Thanksgiving. It hurts to turn people away. But PLEASE purchase food that you would actually eat! I once found a can of blueberries from 1964. Most pantries will distribute food that is silghtly past its expiration because most manufacturers give very early dates, but everyone deserves to have quality foods. Another great idea to keep in mind is to buy foods that can easily be eaten without needing extra ingredients. For example, buying a cake mix is great, but if it requires oil and eggs, many are unlikely to have that on hand. Foods that can be easily consumed without fancy bakeware or extra materials are greatly needed.

This is a great idea — sometimes we all need a little extra support. Frankly, the current economy warrants all of us giving a bit more than we might have planned.

There is another way to donate, too. My husband and I have a good estimate of how much we spend on groceries each week. With the exception of milk, I don’t purchase groceries for 1 week in the month of November (or December). The amount I would have spent on groceries gets sent in to a local food bank. We “make do” for that week with whatever is in the house — and are thankful that we have food in supply! Just a thought.

I think it’s fantastic that you’re spreading the word abt food banks and their needs. I volunteer at a food bank at my local church each week and it’s amazing the amount of that come each with and the amount of food that is needed for these families. Things that are also needed are things like oatmeal, powdered milk, laundry soap, baking supplies (flour, salt, sugar, yeast) and lots of filling things! Each week, my family picks out something to purchase for the food bank and we go to Costco and buy these items in bulk, and donate them. It’s also a great way to teach you kids to be thankful for what we have!